Home / Guides / ESD basics

ESD protected areas: the basics

Static discharge can damage electronic parts without any visible sign. An ESD protected area (EPA) is a marked zone where people, surfaces and packaging are controlled to prevent it.

What goes in an EPA

  • Grounded people. Wrist straps with a coil cord, or ESD footwear on a suitable floor.
  • Safe work surfaces. Dissipative mats or benches connected to a common point ground.
  • Protective packaging. ESD bags, trays and boxes for moving and storing sensitive parts.
  • Insulators kept away. Ordinary plastics and some clothing hold charge. Keep them out, or neutralise them.
  • Clear marking. Floor tape, signs and labels so everyone knows where the area starts.
How an ESD protected area keeps people and parts at the same potential Operator connects through a wrist strap and coil cord to a bench mat and a common point ground. OperatorWrist strapBench matCommon and coil cordand floorpoint ground Static builds upTypically 1 MΩDissipates chargeSafe path to earth Mark the area, test the controls on a schedule, protect parts in ESD packaging THE ESD CHAIN
A simple ESD protected area. Everything the operator touches sits at the same potential.

Keep it working

Controls only help if they stay in working order. Test wrist straps and check grounding at the intervals your own ESD programme sets, and keep simple records.

Standards

Most programmes follow ANSI/ESD S20.20 or IEC 61340-5-1. Your quality team decides which applies to your site.

This guide is general information. Follow the requirements of your own ESD programme.

Products for an EPA

See our ESD consumables range, or send us your list for a quote.

Talk to Sucatec

Questions about your area?

Ask a specialist about products, standards or supply. We reply within one business day.

  • Reply within one business day
  • We supply worldwide, from Singapore
  • No obligation, no spam

Prefer to chat? WhatsApp +65 8839 1637 or email sales@sucatec.com.

Ask AI WhatsApp